Football Boots Derek Mantey KIN 630 12/01/05

Vocabulary English to english Football = Soccer Boot = Shoe Stud = Cleat Pitch = Field

The Beginning Forms of the game has been played for 2,500 years. Mostly as recreation for soldiers or as a violent form of settling disputes. Modern Football era began in England, 1863, as a separation from Rugby. Eventually popularity brought it into the international realm resulting in the FIFA establishment in France, 1904.

Quick Background The world’s most popular sport! Object of the game is to score the ball into the opponents goal. The team with more goals at the end of allotted time wins.

Scoring Goals A player can score using the body parts used to propel the ball during the course of play; except for the hands and arms. Primarily with the feet due to higher velocity and greater control applied to the ball.

Functional Masters Football boots must serve 3 and ½ Masters: Performance Injury Prevention Comfort Aesthetics (the ½) Since a shoe that meets the highest level of each criteria doesn’t exist, there is always a trade off. This compromise is seen through the history of the boot.

Football Boot History Boots reflected the 19th century fashions and materials. Boot design met the demands of the wet and sometimes snowy pitch conditions seen in the UK.

Football Boot History Early soccer was very slow and not spectator friendly 500g shoe Very little change in design until the mid 20th century!

Football Boot History Early developments in lighter construction came from the even earlier knowledge of the stronger physical properties of Kangaroo leather compared to Bovine leather.

Football Boot History The warmer weather translated to cooler, lighter, and lower cut footwear in organized games. Recreational players primarily played barefoot By the first World Cup in 1930, advances in travel and telecommunications allowed players and fans to experience the faster, and more exciting, Latin and Mediterranean forms of football.

Football Boot History For traction on the pitch the earliest players fixed metal spikes to the bottom of their shoes. This was quickly disallowed due to obvious safety concerns.

Football Boot History Early studs were plugs made from leather. Most popular stud placement were two on the heel and four distally.

Football Boot History 1922 Adolf “Adi” Dassler provides a replaceable cleat design to adjust to pitch conditions. By 1951, molded designs increases the number of cleats up to 14 on each shoe. Maximum stud length and minimum tip diameter limits on molded boots were set. Decreased injuries to both the wearer and opposing players.

Dangerous!!

Today’s Boot Low cut leather or synthetic upper construction. Thin firm and flexible outsole. Molded or screw-in studs. Foam insock. Firm heel cup.

Cleat Systems Types include conical, asymmetrical, bladed. Numbers range from 6 on screw-ins up to 12-14 on molded. Positioned to distribute force, not concentrated under sensitive areas.

Cleat Systems

Cleat Systems Sizes range from up to ¾ of an inch for screw-ins. Molded cleats are no longer than 3/8 of an inch with minimum tip diameters of ½ of an inch.

Today’s Boot Plethora of additional features and developments. Many differences between manufacturer’s; always have similarities. No rigorous scientific investigation.

Adidas Predator Absolute TRX FG. PowerPulse shoe liner. Split Outsole. Traxion Cleat Design $200.00 Yikes!

Nike Air Zoom Total 90 III FG $185.00 Zoom Air Unit. Structural Bars. Asymmetrical Lacing.

Nike Mercurial Vapor FG One-piece synthetic upper. Peeva sockliner with Poron insert. NikeFrame contoured glass-filled nylon plate (stability) and Speedtract plate (speed & acceleration)

Puma Cellerator Zero 5 GCi FG $180.00 Powerframe e+Cell External Heel Counter Ground Control

The Right Boot? Professionals and National teams staff podiatrists or pedorthists. Athletes can practice in several types of boots before making a decision. Sponsorships decide. The other 99% of footballers don’t have that luxury. Must try on and find room to jog and cut. Gambling on the right shoe, if found purchase duplicate pairs.

Additional Questions??